Reverend William Barber Lends Support To Bennett College

Reverend William Barber Lends Support To Bennett College

Rev. William Barber talks with his daughter, Dr. Sharrelle Barber, and their audience about the legacy and importance of Bennett College. Dr. Sharrelle Barber graduated from the historically black women's college in 2007. BETHANY CHAFIN/WFDD

On Saturday, political activist Rev. William Barber participated in a conversation at Bennett College with his daughter, Dr. Sharrelle Barber, who graduated from the school in 2007. The historically black women's college has a deadline of Friday, Feb. 1st to raise $5 million dollars in an effort to save its accreditation.

The two discussed Bennett’s role in the civil rights movement, the importance of a women’s HBCU, and how the college might educate the activists of tomorrow.

“This college has a sacred past, but it also has a sacred present, and a sacred future,” Rev. Barber said.

His daughter agreed. "There are not many places in this world that are completely dedicated to the uplift and upbuild of black women. And so when you think about this place along with a place like Spelman [College], these are sacred spaces," Sharrelle Barber said.

Rev. Barber began the event by giving a $5,000 check to the school and urging others to do the same.

As of Saturday, Bennett College had raised almost $3 million towards its goal.